Tag: Devotions

Devotional · Uncategorized

My Gentle Shepherd

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Isaiah 40:1-5, 10-11

Many years ago the Gaithers wrote beautiful lyrics addressing the need people have of a Shepherd. They perceived a need for strength, provision and guidance that comes from God alone. Like Martin Luther, they recognized there was no other that we can turn to for answers to the problems in our lives today. This Shepherd, they knew from scripture would be gentle.

 

Isaiah makes an astonishing contrast as he describes God’s power. “See the Sovereign Lord comes with power and His arm rules for Him” (40:10). Then, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah also describes God as a Shepherd, One who gathers the lambs in His arms and carried them close to His heart. What a tender picture! This Shepherd also “gently leads” (40:11).

 

Isaiah chapter 40 is described as one of consolation, reviewing the greatness of God. We do not often equate gentleness with greatness, but here it is. Paul also tells us the fruit of the Holy Spirit living within each believer, produces gentleness, among a host of other qualities derived from the greatness of God’s character. Isaiah begins the chapter with an injunction from God to “comfort My people” (:1), to “speak tenderly to Jerusalem” (:2).

 

There are hints of salvation as God’s voice calls “prepare the way for the Lord” (:3). Whatever did that mean? Matthew enlightens us in his gospel. John the Baptist, hundreds of year after Isaiah’s prophecy, was identified as the one who came to prepare the way for the Messiah. How did he accomplish this? By preaching repentance (Matthew 3:8).

 

Jacob was the first person who called God his Shepherd. As he blessed his sons on his deathbed he told them “God has been my Shepherd all my life to this day” (Genesis 48:15). Centuries later King David is famous for saying “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). The Magi, visiting baby Jesus identified Him as the fulfillment of prophecy “who will be the Shepherd of My people Israel” (Matthew 2:6).

Jesus confirmed that “I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). “No one can snatch them out of My hand” (10:28). “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me” (10:27). Mark records Jesus’ rebuke when the disciples wanted to shoo little children away, thinking He would be too busy for kids. “He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them”(Mark 10:16) What a sweet picture of my Gentle Shepherd!

Reflection:

Do you need a Shepherd in your life? Why or why not?

“Dear Father, What a comfort it is to be held close to Your heart. Thank You for loving me as only God can love, unconditionally. Thank You for forgiving me for all my failures and wrong choices. I pray that You will strengthen my faith as day by day I learn to lean on You for guidance. Help me to discern Your will for my life, day by day. Thank You for Your Holy Word that nourishes my soul! Thank You for protecting me from evil, as I follow Jesus day by day. May my life be pleasing in Your sight. Thank You for being such a gentle Shepherd”

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Challenges!

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Mark 14:32-41

I have often been challenged by Jesus’ question in the garden of Gethsemane asking “Couldn’t you watch with me one hour?” Today He might ask “Couldn’t you watch with me for 5 minutes?” Perhaps this is our #1 challenge. How much time do we spend each day watching for His will to be revealed, watching for His return?

The Bible records how He healed lepers, restored sight, made the lame to walk, delivered those possessed by demons, pointed adulteresses to a better life-style, even making a missionary out of the Samaritan woman. Samaritans and Jews weren’t supposed to mingle, but Jesus broke that taboo as He did in so many other instances. He was not inhibited by traditions or fears about what people would think. Our second challenge must be to fight our fears in the name of Jesus!

He hung out with losers, prostitutes, recovered demoniacs, tax collectors. He healed Jews and Gentiles alike, even honouring the faith of the Roman Centurion by healing his servant without seeing him. What kind of people would we find it difficult to visit? An atheist? A homosexual? A person with AIDS? “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these….” (Matthew 25:40)

I was in a social setting with people of the youth sub-culture, when a young man tattooed and pierced, with spiked colourful hair discovered I had been a missionary. He sat down with me, showing the keenest interest in what I had been doing. Was I surprised! Do we understand our own unsettled feelings?? Do we fear being tainted by association? Do we feel a bit hostile towards those who mark their bodies? Are we disgusted by a foreign life-style? Have we compassion on those who have made such unusual choices? Jesus could say some rather challenging things. He called the Pharisees white-washed sepulchres, a brood of vipers, blind guides, fools, hypocrites, and serpents. I wonder if He could call me any of those things for the way I judge others?

A question came up at my Bible Study recently – who was the first Gentile convert to Christianity? Was it the Syrophoenician woman? Was it the Roman Centurion? Was it the Samaritan woman? Was it the Italian Centurion Cornelius? One important thing to note is that Jesus was not a respecter of persons. He met people at their point of need. Although criticized for hob-knobbing with out-of-favour Israelites like Zacchaeus, such criticism didn’t faze our Lord when it came to associating with other nationalities, with women, with the marginalized and oppressed (1 Peter 1:21).

Was the big challenge behind Jesus’ admonishment to “watch”, to check out the depth of His disciples’ commitment? Are we tempted to think God understands if we are too rushed to pray, to daily praise Him for who He is and for all that He does? What is our commitment to our Lord Jesus today?

Temptations hit us at our weakest point. Satan is an expert at zeroing into the most vulnerable areas of our lives and further weakening our confidence, through failure. Jesus knew the temptations that would face His disciples in the days ahead. He wanted them to be strengthened by watching, not so much for His sake as for their own. Let His words challenge each of His disciples today. “Watch and pray!” (Matthew 26:41).

Reflection:

How often do we react out of fear for what other people will think, will say?

How often are we challenged by our own assumptions?

Are we challenged to be more like Jesus when we read about His radical approach to everyday living?

What fears are holding you back?

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Devotional · Uncategorized

Forfeit and Loss

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Matthew 16:24-28

Forfeiture is the loss of rights to one’s property and most often occurs because one has neglected one’s duty. Jesus cautioned His disciples against forfeiting something that is infinitely precious…one’s soul. The soul is not referred to much today. Many people want to be known as “spiritual” but where does the soul enter the picture? Why would these words of Jesus matter to people living in the 21st century? Is the soul something precious?

First of all, what is the soul? The dictionary defines it as the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being, that which is immortal, which will live forever. Where does this idea come from? In Genesis, in the Garden of Eden, God breathed life into Adam and he became a living soul (KJV).

This soul is of great value to God, for it is with the soul one worships God (Psalm 103:1), loves God (Deuteronomy 6:5), serves God (Joshua 22:5), yearns for God (Psalm 42:1), clings to God (Psalm 63:8) and so forth. The soul finds rest in God alone, according to the Psalmist (Psalm 62:5) and Jesus reiterated that in Matthew 11:29. The connection of our soul with God is unique to human beings who were made in His image.

 

When some part of the body is amputated, there is significant pain. When we ignore the needs of the soul or neglect to nurture it, our spirits become vulnerable to spiritual pain. Without recognizing it, this may become the most severe form of separation anxiety. We are choked by the cares of this world (Mark 4:19) and slowly the soul loses its vibrant life-force. We may even try to fill the void by using artificial limbs, but nothing can take the place of the real thing. Jesus identifies the frustration of such an attempt. “What can a man give in exchange for his own soul?” What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

 

What happens to lost souls? Jesus is coming again. “He will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). On the surface that might appear to be achievable…by our works we can then enter into heaven. Right? Wrong. God looks deep into the soul, judging it on the motivation for its deeds. The superficial action may look good to other people, but how does God see our hearts? Do we seek to bring Him glory by what we do? Has this good deed cost us anything? (Matthew 16:24).

 

Today so many are suffering spiritual pain – anxiety, depression, unresolved anger. Jesus longs to give these people rest. The man known for his wisdom wrote: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). A principle is spelled out by Jeremiah: “Stand at the crossroads and look [this is where we make choices]…ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your souls”(Jeremiah 6:16).

Reflection:

Jesus, challenging His followers then and now, references our choices. Do we want to save our lives, do we fear death at the hands of our enemies so much that we might renounce the gospel? There are modern martyrs being beaten and imprisoned, and even put to death because they have refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ.

Or – are we willing to lose our lives in order to save them for eternity in heaven with Him, by remaining true to our faith? (Matthew 16:25).

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Why Do We Need God?

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Matthew 13:45-46

He is an old man. He just discovered what it means to be born again. After a life-time of going to church, why does he need such a unique relationship with God? He lived a good life. He doesn’t hate anyone, and isn’t angry with anyone. He doesn’t swear any more. According to a certain code of Christian ethics he should qualify to go to heaven.

Looking back, this man can see where the hand of God was always on his life. He lived after a serious accident when he was just a small child. In and out of hospital for years, he had no idea at the time that an invisible God was looking after him. He grew up in a good home. Even after his mother died following the birth of her 8th child, his father was able to keep the family together and God provided nurturing through his mother’s sister. Without advanced education he got a good job through which he rose over the years to a position of supervisor. God provided for him financially so that in retirement he and his wife were able to enjoy traveling. Altogether it was the good life! Why did he need God?

The miracle of rebirth is when we come to a place where we can see that we needed God all along. He guarded and guided, protected and provided without our realizing, but for the grace of God things might have been so different. We might have been born on the other side of the world and never have met those people we know and love. We might have suffered abandonment, under-privilege, hunger and thirst, or financial desperation, but for where God placed us. Without realizing how needy we were, we did need God.

Jesus talked specifically about our relationship with God. He told a parable about a pearl of great value that a man found and desperately coveted. He actually sold everything he had to pay for this beautiful pearl. This parable can tell two stories. Jesus sold all that He had to purchase His people, those who would form the kingdom of God. He gave up His status in heaven as well as His human life on earth. One cannot give more than that to any cause. This He did for you and me.

Another interpretation calls us to follow the Master in self-sacrifice. What might we be willing to give up in order to follow Jesus? Do we really want to be a part of His great kingdom? Would He really call us to serve Him in a foreign country? Or would He just ask us to go across the hall in our apartment building to share His love with foreign neighbours? How do we express our gratitude to God for keeping His hand upon our lives, blessing us with so many spiritual blessings, not to mention the material things we enjoy?

Reflection:

Why did Jesus write in parables? How does this one speak to you?

Would you say your faith is of such great value that you would give up everything, or even sell everything, if it could be bought?

Contemplate the free gift of salvation that God is offering the world today through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What would life look like for us without God?

Devotional · Uncategorized

God’s Compassion

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Psalm 116:5-9

Our Life Group had been praying for a woman who has been in a coma for 2 years. What her family have endured during that time can never be told. But I was reminded of the verse that in the King James speaks of “bowels of compassion” – describing the depth of God’s interest in our lives. He calls us to emulate Him by our compassionate hearts, bowels of mercies, heartfelt compassion and other phrases descriptive in various versions of the Bible, of God’s generous nature.

This family is content to let their loved one linger on, but there are many today who would say it is a useless life, one that should be ended. As Christians we believe that matters of life and death rest in the hands of Almighty God – the God of all compassion (Psalm 116:5). On what grounds would a human being decide who should live and who should die; is that decision based on the diagnosis of a terminal or incurable Illness? Many, for example, would agree that ALS is a reason to end life, yet the ‘genius’ of our age, Stephen Hawking, continued to dazzle the world with his scientific mind for nearly 50 years, in spite of the fact he could not speak and was totally helpless to care for himself.

Our generation has been given so much knowledge that we face choices not faced by those who have gone before us. Should we pull the plug, for example and when? Well in days gone by there had been no plug to pull. Now we should be like gods – that very desire which caused Satan to be cast out of heaven has been fulfilled. God allowed man to have a peek into some of the deeper concerns regarding running the universe. If we misuse the knowledge we have now, what eternal damage might be done when we appropriate choices that still belong to God?

In the case of the lady and others like her in coma, how can we see God’s compassion at work? Perhaps we cannot, but her family still wait in hope and everyone will agree that hope is a wonderful thing! It turns bitter into sweet. We learn through our trials that God’s presence and strength are sufficient day by day. Only in truly difficult circumstances can we know the exquisite rest that comes when our hearts trust in His compassion. We might even marvel at the wisdom that is keeping her alive, without contributing to her community of family and friends.

Reflection:

It’s within the nature of man to want to know, but we cannot invent answers to a faith that trusts in the all-wise compassions of the Divine being whose ways often present us with unsolvable (by our finite wisdom) mysteries. In this we must let God be God.

Is it through the eyes of faith that we see the compassion of God at work in difficult circumstances?

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